SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Rookie starter Spencer Strider struck out nine over five innings but allowed a season-high nine hits as his winning streak ended at four, and the Atlanta Braves missed a chance to gain ground in the NL East, losing to the San Francisco Giants 3-2 on Monday night.
The first-place Mets fell 5-2 at home to the Cubs earlier and lead the defending World Series champions by 1 1/2 games.
Dansby Swanson hit a two-run single with none out in the eighth against Zack Littell, who then induced Austin Riley’s double play before Giants manager Gabe Kapler replaced him with Scott Alexander. An angry Littell then had words with the manager, who could be seen shortly after going with the pitcher down the tunnel.
Matt Olson flied out to end the threat, and Alexander stayed in to finish for his first save.
Littell allowed Eddie Rosario’s leadoff double and then walked Robbie Grossman. Following a mound visit, Ronald Acuna Jr. singled to load the bases for Swanson.
The Braves, coming off a wild 8-7 loss at Seattle a day earlier, had won four of five against the Giants and haven’t dropped a season series between the teams since 2016. Atlanta returned to the Bay Area after playing in Oakland last week.
Strider (10-5) took his first loss in six starts since Aug. 7 at New York. He had won his previous three.
Alex Cobb (6-6) struck out seven over seven scoreless innings for a road-weary Giants team that played at Wrigley Field on Sunday night and then returned from Chicago to San Francisco at 5:30 a.m. before the quick turnaround for a night game.
The Giants got RBI singles from Willie Calhoun, Luis González and Thairo Estrada.
FLORES’ NEW DEAL
Versatile infielder Wilmer Flores agreed to a new contract with the Giants that guarantees him $16.5 million over the next three seasons and could be worth up to $21.5 million.
He opted to stay in a place he’s comfortable rather than test his value on the free-agent market this offseason.
“It was a no-brainer. Since day one, I’ve been just loving the culture here and the way they treat me,” Flores said. “I just wanted to come back here. I knew I had a chance to go to free agency but I just love everyone here and playing on this team in San Francisco makes me feel good. You can’t buy that. We wanted to get it done and we got it done.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Braves: 2B Vaughn Grissom played a day after colliding with Grossman on a high pop into shallow right field and grabbing his right leg while on the ground. … The Braves should know more this week about the next steps for 2B Ozzie Albies, rehabbing from a broken left foot that has kept him out since June 14.
Giants: INF Tommy La Stella went on the 10-day injured list with neck spasms after he began experiencing stiffness Sunday and it became worse on the flight home.
ROSTER MOVES
The Giants optioned OF Austin Dean to Triple-A Sacramento and selected OF Willie Calhoun and RHP Cole Waites from Sacramento. … C Patrick Mazeika was designated for assignment.
UP NEXT
Major league wins leader Kyle Wright (17-5, 3.23 ERA) pitches for Atlanta seeking to win his fifth straight decision. The Giants counter with Jakob Junis (4-5, 3.98).
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